Staff Reporter
THE Head of the Namibia Correctional Services, Commissioner General Raphael Hamunyela, has said that Ernst Lichtenstrasser, the man accused of double murder, has been discharged from hospital and taken back into custody at the Windhoek Correctional Facility after his recent suicide attempt.
Lichtenstrasser’s trial on 23 November 2023 was put on hold as the murder convict was admitted to the hospital after allegedly overdosing on opiate medication. Lichtenstrasser was found guilty of the murder of Namibia Institute for Mining and Technology Director Eckhart Mueller and his deputy, Heimo Hellwig.
Giving an update on the matter, Commissioner Hamunyela explained that provision is made to give medication to sick inmates and that Lichtenstrasser was not placed under surveillance when it comes to taking his medication, as this is done only with inmates who are mentally challenged or suffer from mental illnesses.
“If they are having a plan, they don’t take their medication and hide them and take them when they want. During our searches of the cells, we used to remove medication. You could search today, but three days later an inmate could have enough pills to do whatever they wish with them. Some are smoking their pills while some use them for different purposes. The nurse can issue the medication but cannot force an inmate to take the medication and see if they have swallowed it, like we do with mentally ill patients,” Hamunyela said.
He added that after the hospital discharge following the suicide attempt, the NCS will ramp up its surveillance on Lichenstrasser, which will entail the search of his cell frequently, as he is suicidal.
